A planning application to drill two exploratory shale wells in north Nottinghamshire is thought to go ahead, officials have said.
It has been confirmed in a large document by planning officers the bid by shale company Island Gas to drill at Springs Road should be granted.
The decision of whether to approve will be made on 5 October, which could be the first UK shale well given the go-ahead since councillors in North Yorkshire approved tests in May.
This report has come alongside the first fracked shale gas imports arriving by ship in the UK. Labour has also provoked a furious response from the GMB Union after saying it would ban fracking if elected.
The biggest party in Nottinghamshire is Labour, although no single party has overall control.
The planning manager for the council, Sally Gill, said: "Island Gas has been able to demonstrate how they intend to make sure that the effects of the drilling can be effectively managed to make sure they do not become unacceptable to the local area and local community."
